Open To Question and Sean Flanagan. © Photo Healy Racing
Open To Questions stayed on strongly under Sean Flanagan to get up close home to win the KPMG Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
Absent since finishing last of five, in what is traditionally a strong Boodles Hurdle trail at Naas in February, the Noel Meade trained four-year-old showed the benefit of that break with a strong performance here.
Pushing along in third after two out, the son of Noble Mission appeared to be fighting a losing battle as Cossack Chach challenged long time leader Kaleson for the lead.
As the latter began to falter on the run to the last, Cossack Chach moved through to lead. However, Flanagan was edging closer on Open To Questions, despite being hard at work in the saddle.
Coming through to dispute with Cossack Chach early in the straight, the pair settled down to battle it out, with Open To Questions just edging ahead to win by a length.
Sean Flanagan said: "He's a leary enough type. I won on him a while back at Gowran and he wouldn't really be helping you, you'd have to ask and beg for everything he's going to give you.
"He's a very nimble horse and a good jumper. He's got a high enough rating on the Flat but has his own way of thinking about things.
"He missed the second-last but I gave him a chance, got the bit back up in his mouth, got a bit of confidence into him and he's finished out well because of it.
"He got into a good rhythm and was in his comfort zone today and I was delighted with the way he fought hard to the line although J J's horse (Slevin on Cossack Chack) was probably idling a bit in front.
"I love riding winners for Noel and the Hunt family."
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.
